Senior Plans Examiner

Salary : $113,380.80 - $151,944.00 Annually
Location : 411 Main Street, Chico, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00520
Department: Community Development Department - Building & Code Enforcement
Division: Building
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 1/3/2027 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Information

The City of Chico is recruiting to fill 1 vacancy in the Community Development Department for the position of Senior Plans Examiner. The ideal candidate will have 5 (five) years of ongoing plan review experience performing construction document review for a government agency, with an emphasis in commercial and complex review, and a current California Engineer's License is desirable. Experience in building permitting at all stages of construction, building plan review, permitting systems software, and calculation and collection of fees. Knowledge of California Building Code and Building Inspector or Plans Examiner certification by International Code Conference is desired.

Under limited direction, responsible for oversight and supervision of all plan review. Organizes and facilitates the completion of projects. To schedule and coordinate work assignments (plan check) for building safety personnel and coordinate with engineering and planning staff to ensure plans are reviewed and completed on time. Performs the most comprehensive and complex work in the review, design and investigation of plans for residential, commercial and industrial building construction including equipment installation plans, calculations and test results; may inspect buildings and structures at various stages of construction or alteration; to supervise and direct the work of building personnel.

This recruitment will run until filled.
Job Description
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assist the Building Official in the supervision of Building Division plan review operations;
• Perform work in plan checking residential, commercial and industrial building construction and equipment installation plans and drawings for compliance to building, structural, electrical, plumbing and air conditioning code applications and related structural engineering requirements;
• Determine valuation, occupancy and Building Division fees;
• Check calculations and test reports for accuracy and completeness;
• Assist contractors, architects, engineers and others in the solution of complex building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and related problems with interpretation of the building codes and ordinances;
• Maintain cooperation with other departments concerned with building and related code compliance;
• Develop and conduct training programs for Building Division personnel;
• Assist in budget preparation;
• Assist in making policy decisions and code interpretations;
• Act as Building Official when so assigned;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Principles of civil engineering with emphasis in structural engineering is desired; building construction codes, ordinances and enforcement requirements related to structural, electrical, plumbing, air conditioning and related installations;
• State and Federal regulations related to building construction, accessibility, and energy requirements;
• Principles and techniques of building inspection work.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with persons of diverse backgrounds.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

Equivalent to an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering, structural engineering, architecture, building inspection technology or related field.

Experience:

Five years' experience in the design or review of building construction plans or four years' experience performing plan checking duties for a public agency.

Supervisory experience is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver License.
• Legacy ICC certification as a combination building inspector, or a minimum of one certification in each trade (building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical).
• ICC certification as a Residential and Commercial Plans Examiner within one year from date of hire.
• CASp Certification is highly desirable.

Additional Information
Physical Demands

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Use of personal computer, including word processing and permitting software; calculator; pencil; ruler; copy machine; phone.
Environmental Conditions

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate to loud in the field.